Road Surface Detection via Acoustic and Vibration Sensing

The patent combines multiple sensing modalities (acoustic sensors for sound/vibration, tactile sensors for contact feedback, and existing optical sensors) into a unified road condition detection system. This fusion of different sensor types enables the system to detect various road features including small potholes, uneven surfaces, and damaged roads that individual sensor types cannot detect alone, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and detection versatility

The patent introduces acoustic sensors and tactile sensors as intermediary detection elements that bridge the gap between optical sensors and road surface conditions. These intermediary sensors convert mechanical road surface characteristics into electrical signals that can be processed by the control unit, enabling detection of road features that are invisible or undetectable to camera, radar, or laser sensors alone

The patent designs the sensor system and control unit to perform multiple functions: acoustic sensors detect both road surface type and pothole presence, tactile sensors provide both vibration and contact information, and the control unit processes all sensor inputs to generate comprehensive environmental models. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized sensors for each detection task, thereby improving environmental model accuracy while limiting the increase in device complexity

The control unit automatically processes and integrates data from multiple sensor types without requiring manual intervention or complex external processing systems. The system self-manages the fusion of acoustic, tactile, and optical sensor data to generate environmental models, reducing the overall system complexity despite the addition of multiple sensor types